This is something that came up when I was working on replying to Legolas' "what did you read this decade" post. I thought it would be impossible to answer, but then, as I sat down to think it through (anything to avoid actual work), I realised I knew where I had read most books. Certainly all books that had made an impression.

As I always do, when it comes to this sort of revelation, I assumed this was something everyone did. But then I talked it over with my best friend, and she had no idea what I was talking about. Turns out, she has no idea where she read something -- it just pops up in her head as knowledge she has acquired.

Now, this remembering where I've read something is transferable to other forms of learning -- I tend to remember where I have been told facts that have made an impression, as well.

Now, interestingly (I think), I am rarely aware of my surroundings when reading. Or, that is only half true. When I read, it can be very difficult to get my attention -- I don't hear what is going on around me -- although I seem to have developed a reaction to my name (which my sister had great fun with this Christmas), which will break me out of the book for a moment.

But I can read and walk without getting killed.

This all leads to the strange result that while I am not aware of my surroundings while reading, they are clearly part of my memory of the book once I am done with it. And this unconscious awareness of my surroundings does fit nicely with the no death by bus as of yet situation.

I have talked to some friends about this since I discovered it is not universal, and some seem to do it and some don't.

Do you remember where you have read something? What do you connect with books? Colours? Smells? Or just the book alone?